Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3200, Benjamin Easterbrooks, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R. S.
Easterbrooks, Benjamin
R. 3200
CONTENTS

State of Vermont } ss. District & (county of Caledonia) }
On this 20th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Benjamin P. Denny Judge of the court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid now sitting Benjamin Easterbrook a resident of Lyndon in the County and District aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law do hereby make the following declar- ation in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, to wit:
I Benjamin Easterbrook of Lyndon County of Caledonia & State of Vermont depose & say that I was born in Warren County of Bristol & State of Rhode Island on the 12th of February 1747 being now just eighty five years of age. I think there is a record of my age in the office of the town clerk of Warren. Soon after the news of the Battle of Lexington a call was made upon the militia - some were sent towards Boston others were retained at home to guard the sea board. I volunteered my services was constantly armed & equipped. was often out on guard, on short excursions learning the manual exercise &c. A large shed was prepared for the militia where they learned to drill. My time was devoted in this way I remember it was the year that Arnold & his men went thro' the wilderness to attack Liebeck. I then lived in Warren & was employed in the way described. In the latter part of April 1776 I think, I was first drafted for three months - was attached to the com- pany of Capt Ezra Brimble of Warren - My Col's name I think was Nathan Miller. The other officers names are not remembered. I served as a common soldier. The company was ordered to Bristol six miles distant from Warren. There were but three companies at Bristol at this time. The object of this expedition was to guard the harbor & coast against the incursions of the British. There were no soldiers but militia - and they were alternately on fatigue & guard building fortification &c. The militia were not under

miles distant from Warren. There were our three companies at Bristol at this time. The object of this expedition was to guard the harbor & coast against the incursions of the British. There were no soldiers in the service but militia, and they were alternately on fatigue & guard, building fortifications &c. The militia were not under pay. One third of the militia were drafted at a time, I was of the first draft. After my term of service was out I was verbally discharged and another third took our place. After my return home I was still retained in service in similar to that described at Bristol. I was one of those minute men & was engaged in sundry services, guarding the town on short excursions. My time was almost wholly spent in the public service. While at Warren I was not embodied in any company. On Sept. 1777 the day of the month is not remembered, I think it was the same year Burgoyne's army surrendered & sometime previous to that event I volunteered into the boat service. Previous to the contemplated expedition on to the island of Rhode Island, orders were issued from the General Court of Rhode Island for men to engage in this service. The boats were employed in transporting stores of various kinds for the army who were employed in the expedition. Fourteen men from Warren of which I was one volunteered. Some of their names I remember Jonathan Carr, Allen Cole, Warren Easton Brooks, Amos Hale. Capt. Sissell was our captain.
Amos Hale was our orderly sergeant. We went from Warren over to the island of Rhode Island, where our names were returned to Col. Nathan Miller of Warren, the commissary, who was commander of this division of the army. He remained on the island about two months some short of that time I should think. My employment there for the most of the time was to guard the shore. After the expiration of this service I was ordered to Howland's Ferry with my associates from Warren. There we were upon guard & fatigue building fortifications &c. Orders then came to collect boats at Howland's Ferry to transport the troops destined to embark in the expedition on the island. The army consisted of three thousand men I think under the command of Gen. Spencer of Connecticut. They were embarked along on the beach. The intention was to transport them across to the island in the night-time but the expedition entirely failed. Then then  they  were  ordered  to  transport  the  thousand  men  to  their  quarters  at  a  time . As soon as it was known the troops were not to embark we were ordered to detach the boats in small divisions & secrete them out of the reach of the British which was performed that night. The men were ordered to guard them. In the latter part of February 1778 I think, orders came to the boatmen to return the  boats  to  their  owners the boats to their individual owners & then to return home. These orders came from the General Court. This was the conclusion of my services. I think that the time in which I was employed in the public service was some short of three years while  on  the  island  with  his  troops  Gen. Williams  Burgoyne  was personally acquainted with. I have lived in this town upwards of thirty years. In June after the conclusion of my revolutionary services I came to Brattleboro, Vermont. My memory is not

cut. They were embarked along on the beach. The intention was to transport them across to the island in the night-time but the expedition entirely failed. Then there was a great  intention to  transport them  across to the island  in the night-time  but the expedition entirely failed. As soon as it was known the troops were not to embark we were ordered to detach boats in small divisions & secrete them out of the reach of the British which was performed that night. The men were ordered to guard them. In the latter part of February 1778 I think, orders came to the boatmen to return to  return  to the boats to their individual owners & then to return home. These orders came from the General Court. This was the conclusion of my services. I think that the time in which I was employed in the public service was some short of three years. Had I been with him on the island & his troops, Genl. Williams Branton I was personally acquainted with. I have lived in this town Lyndon of thirty years. In June after the conclusion of my revolutionary services I came to Brattleboro, Vermont. My memory has become greatly enfeebled thro' age I cannot remember the precise period of my services. I have no documentary evidence in my possession nor do I know of any living witnesses to my services. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
(214) Ebenezer Dyer
I was here and subscribed by the Rev. Benjamin Easton this 20th day of August A.D. 1852.
Dea. Benj. H. Gannett Judge of Probate

[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
I Isiah Fisk of Lyndon Caledonia County & State of Vermont certify & say that I am personally acquainted with deceased Benjamin Easterbrooks, Henry Hoffman, & Samuel Winslow of Lyndon being a resident in the same neighborhood with them & have been acquainted with them all for more than thirty years I have always considered them men of undoubted truth & veracity; they have always been so considered in the town where they reside & the general belief where they are known is, that they were soldiers in the Revolution. I have a general recollection of Mr Easterbrooks being in the boat service in the expedition of Gen. Spencer on to Rhode Island.
Isiah Fisk
Sworn to, & subscribed this eight of August A.D. 1832
Before
Benj a Walker Justice Peace
I Benjamin Walker of Lyndon Caledonia County & State of Vermont certify & say that I am personally acquainted with Benjamin Easterbrooks, Henry Hoffman & Samuel Winslow. I have been acquainted with them for thirty years past being a resident in their neighborhood I have always considered them men of undoubted truth & veracity & they are so esteemed in their neighborhood. The general impression in the neighborhood where they reside is that they were soldiers in the Revolution.
Benj a Walker
Sworn to & subscribed this eight of August A.D. 1832.
Before
Isiah Fisk Justice Peace
I William Wilson of Lyndon Vermont certify & say that I have been personally acquainted with Benjamin Easterbrooks of the town for thirty

I Isiah Fisk of Lyndon Caledonia County & State of Vermont certify & say that I am personally acquainted with remaried Benjamin Easterbrook Henry Hoffman, & Samuel Winslow of Lyndon being a resident in the same neighborhood with them & have been acquainted with them all for more than thirty years I have always considered them men of undoubted truth & veracity; they have always been so considered in the town where they reside & their general belief where they are known is, that they were soldiers in the Revolution. I have a general recollection of Mr Easterbrook being in the boat service in the expedition of Gen. Spencer on to Rhode Island.
Isiah Fisk
Sworn to & subscribed this eight of August A.D. 1832
Before
Benj a Walker Justice Peace
I Benjamin Walker of Lyndon Caledonia County & State of Vermont certify & say that I am personally acquainted with Benjamin Easterbrook Henry Hoffman & Saml. Winslow. I have been acquainted with them for thirty years past being a resident in their neighborhood. I have always considered them men of undoubted truth & veracity & they are so esteemed in their neighborhood. The general impression in the neighborhood where they reside is that they were soldiers in the Revolution.
Benj a Walker
Sworn to & subscribed this eight of August A.D. 1832.
Before
Isiah Fisk Justice Peace
I William Johnson of Lyndon Vermont certify & say that I have been personally acquainted with Benjamin Easterbrook of this town for thirty years or more. lately I have not been intimately acquainted with him. While I knew him he sustained a good character for truth & veracity & that was his reputation in his town. I should think him of the age he represents & do not certainly remember of ever hearing him relate the story of his Revolutionary service.
W. Johnson
Sworn to & subscribed this 20th day of August 1832 Before Alpheus Batchelder Justice of Peace

Caledonia County Vt
State of Vermont ) Caledonia County ss.)
I Benjamin H. Deming Clerk of the County Court for the County of Caledonia fore- said do hereby certify that Benjamin Walker & Isaiah Fick before whom the within certificates were sworn and Stephen Fletcher before whom the annexed certificate was sworn were at the time thereof and now are Justices of the Peace for the said County of Caledonia and that I believe the within signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this seventh day of September A. D. 1832 Benj H. Deming Clerk.

It is a year since these Declarations were filed - This fact it is hoped will ensure an early attention to return. Direct to Lamotteville Vermont where I now reside John Bridgman Jr
Revolutionary Vermont. Benjamin Easterbrook. 3200 Rejected.
Act 7 June. 1833.
See Letter to John Bridgman Jr. Lamotteville VT
Oct. 1. 1833.

Certificates belonging to the Declaration of Benj a Easterbrooks

We Daniel Quimby a Clergyman residing in the town of Lyndon in Caledonia County & State of Vermont and Isaiah Fisk residing in Lyndon aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Easterbrooks who has subscribed and sworn to the Dec- -laration number 12,237 filed in the Court of Probate, for the District & County of Caledonia aforesaid on the 20 th day of August A.D. 1832; we also certify that we believe him to be at least eighty five years of age as he has declared in the aforesaid Declaration; That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion - Daniel Quimby Isaiah Fisk
Sworn to & subscribed this fifth day of March A.D. 1833.
Before Stephen Tuttle
Justice of Peace

State of Vermont Cal. in County of
I Benjamin F. Deming Clerk of the County Court for said Caledonia County do hereby certify that Alphons Fletcher is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that I believe the within signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of said Court this 12th day of April A.D. 1833.
Benj. F. Deming Clerk
State of Vermont Caledonia ss.
I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia do hereby certify that Daniel Kimby who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Lyndon in the County of Caledonia and that Issiah Fisk who has also signed the same is a resident in said Lyndon
Given under my hand and seal this 12th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three and of the Independence of the United States the fifty seventh.

Benjamin Eastbrooks Papers - 12.237
Application has been made to the Governor of Rhode Island for the proof of which the return have yet been received. By an examination of his Declaration it will be seen that the Applicant states that the orders for men to enlist in the "Eastern" system were from the General Court of Rhode Island. That his name and that of his associates was returned to Bristol. The same Governor may who commands -manded that division of the army be designated that the Province returned to their individual owners. The Dots may have belonged to individuals while the men in them were in the public service.
Bridgman

Benjamin Castlebrook B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No See Deeds 16  This objection is overruled XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
REQUIRE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
REQUIRE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
He must produce proof from the Executive of the State to which the boats belonged, that such was the case. As such in private-armed boats cannot be taken into the computation of his service.

Parson of Otterney Case of Benjamin Esterbrooks at Hampshire Susp. Act 7. June 1832.
Evans & Hand Washington City

State of Vermont
Office of Secretary of State Montpelier October 22 d 1852
I hereby certify that J. S. G. Bemis Esquire, whose name is subscribed in his proper handwriting to the foregoing certificate, is and was at the date thereof, a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Caledonia in said State, duly appointed and qualified, and that full credit is due to his official acts and attestations as such.
Given under my hand and the seal of this office this 22 d day of October A.D. 1852.
Jeremiah H. Merrill Secretary of State

Washington, Oct 27 th 1852.
Sir,
We herewith enclose a power of Attorney, authorising us to examine the papers and to prosecute the claim of Benjamin Esterbrooks, dec d husband of M. H. Act 7 th June 1832.
Very respectfully Evans & Hunt.
James E Heath, Esq d Coun d . of Petitioners.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
P. O.
Service: Benjamin S. ...
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.